ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
- Jimmie Johnson III
- Aug 9, 2019
- 6 min read
Week 14:
OFFENSIVE: Quentin Sims | WR, Albany Empire
Albany Empire WR Quentin Sims lit up the scoreboard this weekend to earn Week 14, Playoff Week 1, Offensive Player of the Week Honors. Sims caught seven passes for 106 yards and five touchdowns in Albany’s 61-26 victory over the Baltimore Brigade in its first playoff game of 2019. He is the first receiver to catch more than four touchdown passes in a playoff game since Philadelphia's Darius Reynolds in 2017. Sims was one of the best receivers in the League this regular season, leading the League in touchdown receptions (29) and ranking fourth in total receiving yards (867).
DEFENSIVE: Rodney Fritz | DL, Albany Empire
Rodney Fritz, DL for the Albany Empire, had a strong defensive effort to earn the Week 14, Playoff Week 1, Defensive Player of the Week Honors. Fritz collected three sacks, two forced fumbles and also a pass breakup in the Empire’s 61-26 victory over the Baltimore Brigade. Fritz is the first player to have at least three sacks in a playoff game since San Jose’s Jason Stewart in 2014.
This is Fritz’s fifth year in the league, and first with the Albany Empire.
Week 13:
OFFENSIVE: Kyle Rowley | QB, Columbus Destroyers
In what was his first Arena Football game since 2015, Columbus Destroyers QB, Kyle Rowley, earned the Week 13 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Rowley threw for 253 yards and five touchdowns in the Destroyers narrow 56-50 loss to the Valor to end the season. Rowley led the Destroyers to their second-most points scored this year (most, 54 on 6/7 @ A.C. Blackjacks).
His last appearance came during a playoff game with the Portland Thunder on 8/14/15. After his appearance with the Destroyers, Rowley is a nine-year veteran of the AFL.
DEFENSIVE: Darryl Cato-Bishop | DL, Baltimore Brigade
Darryl Cato-Bishop (DL, Baltimore Brigade) had a strong performance in Week 13, earning him the honors of Week 13 Defensive Player of the Week. Cato-Bishop was instrumental in the Week 13 matchup in Atlantic City, contributing two sacks for a loss of 11 yards, and one forced fumble in the Brigade’s 35-28 win over the Blackjacks. Cato-Bishop was one of the top defensive linemen in the League this season: he led the League in total sacks (7.5, 6 of which were solo) and ranked second in forced fumbles (4) and total tackles for loss (8).
Week 12:
OFFENSIVE: Arvell Nelson | QB, Washington Valor
A strong performance in both the pass and rush game earned Arvell Nelson, QB for the Washington Valor, the Week 12 Offensive Player of the Week award. Nelson contributed 295 total yards (271 passing, 24 rushing) and 7 total touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing) in Washington’s 47-40 playoff-clinching victory over the Baltimore Brigade. Nelson continues to be one of the League’s top offensive threats: he leads the League in rushing yards (199) and ranks second in passing yards (2738).
This is his seventh year in the League, and his second with the Valor.
DEFENSIVE: Tevin Homer | DB, Albany Empire
Tevin Homer, DB Albany Empire, earned the Week 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Homer helped Albany secure the top playoff seed with a game-high 11 tackles (10 solo) and one forced fumble in the Empire’s 49-18 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. The rookie is having a solid first season, as he leads the league in total tackles (77 total, 68 solo).
Week 11:
OFFENSIVE: Darius Prince | WR, Philadelphia Soul
Darius Prince (WR, Philadelphia Soul) earned the Week 11 Offensive Player of the Week Honors in the Philadelphia Soul’s 50-45 victory over the Atlantic City Blackjacks. Prince gained 124 receiving yards, and had two touchdowns, one of which was a game-winning TD. Prince continues a solid season, ranking second in receiving yards (799) and fourth in touchdowns (18).
This is Prince’s second season in the AFL, both with the Soul.
DEFENSIVE: Dwayne Hollis | DB, Philadelphia Soul
Dwayne Hollis (DB Philadelphia Soul) earned the Week 11 Defensive Player of the Week Honors for his performance in the Soul’s 50-45 victory over the Atlantic City Blackjacks. Hollis was instrumental to the Soul’s win, contributing four solo tackles, one pass breakup and a one interception that he returned for a touchdown. Hollis has been a turnover machine lately, registering an interception in four out of his last five games.
This is Hollis’ fifth year in the League, all with the Philadelphia Soul.
OFFENSIVE: Dan Raudabaugh | QB, Philadelphia Soul
Dan Raudabaugh (QB, Philadelphia Soul) earned the Week 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Raudabaugh went 21-32 for 231 yards with seven touchdowns, leading his team to a 54-43 victory over the Albany Empire. The win secured a playoff spot for the Soul.
The 10-year veteran has the Soul on a three-game winning streak dating back to June 16. He ranks second in the League in touchdowns (48) and ranks third in yards (2307).
This is Raudabaugh’s 10th year in the League, and his eighth with the Philadelphia Soul.
DEFENSIVE: Josh Victorian (#7) | DB, Baltimore Brigade
Josh Victorian (DB, Baltimore Brigade) Defensive Player of the Week Honors for Week 10 after a solid all-around performance in the Brigade’s 50-12 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. Victorian had one of the best defensive performances this season with three tackles (all solo), one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups. In addition, he had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Victorian ranks fourth in the League in total tackles with 49 (45 solo) and ranks tied for fourth-most in defensive interceptions (4).
This is Victorian’s seventh year in the AFL, and his third with the Brigade.
Week 9
OFFENSIVE: Quentin Sims (#18) | WR, Albany Empire
A strong performance on both offense and special teams earned Quentin Sims, Albany Empire WR, the Week 9 Offensive Player of the Week Honors. Sims had 91 receiving yards and six total touchdowns, five receiving and one on an onside kick return, in Albany’s 63-61 victory over the Atlantic City Blackjacks. Sims’ six total touchdowns is tied for the most in a single game this season, and mark a career-high (previously 5).
DEFENSIVE: James Romain (#25) | DB, Philadelphia Soul
James Romain earned the Week 9 Defensive Player of the Week Honors. Romain contributed 10.5 tackles (10 solo), and had two interceptions and two pass breakups in the Soul’s 42- 35 win over the Columbus Destroyers. The reigning Defensive Back of the Year continues a successful 2019 season: Romain leads the League in interceptions (6) and ranks tied for fourth most total tackles (42.5, 40 solo).
OFFENSIVE: Tommy Grady (#4) | QB, Albany Empire
Albany Empire QB, Tommy Grady, led his team to the third largest comeback in AFL history to earn the Week 8 Offensive Player of the Week Honors. Grady threw for a season-high 348 yards and six touchdowns to erase a 27-point deficit to defeat the Washington Valor, 56-55. This victory secured Albany a playoff berth. The 348 passing yards rank second most thrown by a quarterback this season. The nine-year veteran quarterback leads the League in various passing categories: yards (2161), touchdowns (47) and completion percentage (70.4%).
This is Grady’s second OPOTW honors after earning recognition in Week 6.
DEFENSIVE: Justin Lawrence (#99) | DL, Baltimore Brigade
Justin Lawrence, DL for the Baltimore Brigade, earned the Week 8 Defensive Player of the Week Honors. Lawrence showed up against the Columbus offense, totaling two tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble in Baltimore’s 44-39 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. Lawrence ranks third in the League in sacks (3.5) and tied for fourth in total tackles for loss (3).
This is Lawrence’s eighth season in the AFL, and his second with the Baltimore Brigade.
Week 7
OFFENSIVE: Shane Boyd (#8) | QB, Baltimore Brigade
A strong performance combined with one of the biggest wins of the season earned Shane Boyd, QB for the Baltimore Brigade, the Week 7 Offensive Player of the Week Honors. Boyd threw for 261 yards and six touchdowns to lead his team to a narrow 42-41 victory over the previously unbeaten Albany Empire. The six touchdowns tied his previous season high from week one, and the 261 yards were his second most this season. On top of his solid production thus far Boyd has been smart with the football, leading the league with the fewest interceptions (4).
This is Boyd’s eighth season in the AFL, and his third with the Baltimore Brigade.
DEFENSIVE: James Romain (#25) | DB, Philadelphia Soul
James Romain, DB for the Philadelphia Soul, earned the Week 7 Defensive Player of the Week Honors. Romain was all over the field Sunday recording a game-high nine tackles, one interception and one pass breakup in the Soul’s 48-41 loss to the Washington Valor. The seven-year AFL veteran has been a ball hawk in the secondary this season as is tied with Baltimore’s Joe Powell for the most interceptions in the league (4) and leads the league outright in interception return yards (99).
This is Romain's seventh season in the AFL, and his seventh with the Philadelphia Soul.
OFFENSIVE: Tommy Grady (#4) | QB, Albany Empire
Albany Empire QB, Tommy Grady, earned the Week 6 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Grady threw for 249 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Empire to a 58-48 victory over the Washington Valor. The eight-year AFL veteran is putting together a strong season, leading the league in touchdowns (35) and completion percentage (71%). He currently ranks fifth all-time in AFL career passing touchdowns, with 817, which is the highest among active quarterbacks.
DEFENSIVE: Torez Jones (#24) | DB, Philadelphia Soul
A strong all-around performance earned Torez Jones, DB for the Philadelphia Soul, the Week 6 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Jones was a turnover machine, collecting both an interception and a forced fumble in the Soul’s 47-35 victory over the Columbus Destroyers. Jones also racked up a game-high 8.5 tackles (8 solo). He is one of only two players this season (also Baltimore Brigade DB, Joe Powell) with both a forced fumble and an interception.
This is Jones’s fourth season in the AFL, and with the Philadelphia Soul.
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